Hadji Murád · Chapter
XXIV explained
Butler seeks solace in the poetry of warfare, drinking, and courting Márya Dmítrievna, who rebuffs him.
What happens
Butler seeks solace in the poetry of warfare, drinking, and courting Márya Dmítrievna, who rebuffs him. A detachment arrives, leading to a drunken party. Later, Kámenev arrives with the severed head of Hadji Murád, shocking Butler and Márya Dmítrievna. The chapter ends with Kámenev preparing to tell the story of Hadji Murád's death.
Themes in this chapter
The Nature of War and Violence
The chapter starkly portrays the brutality of war through the display of Hadji Murád's severed head, contrasting Butler's romanticized 'poetry of warfare' with the grim reality.
Deception and Mistrust
Hadji Murád's attempt to escape and subsequent death highlight the pervasive mistrust between the Russians and the Chechens, as well as the precariousness of alliances.
Characters to notice
- Butler
Butler indulges in the poetry of warfare, drinks heavily, and attempts to court Márya Dmítrievna, but is rebuffed. He is shocked by the arrival of Hadji Murád's head.
- Márya Dmítrievna
Márya Dmítrievna rebuffs Butler's advances, shows concern for her husband, and is horrified by the display of Hadji Murád's head, calling the men 'cutthroats'.
- Major Petróv
Major Petróv is very drunk at the party, hacking at imaginary foes and singing. He later kisses Hadji Murád's head, calling him a fine fellow.
- Peter Nikoláevich Kámenev
Kámenev arrives with Hadji Murád's head, which he shows to the officers. He explains that Hadji Murád tried to escape and was killed.
- Hadji Murád
Hadji Murád is dead; his severed head is brought to the fort by Kámenev. Butler recognizes it with horror.
Key passages
“Butler’s only consolation all this time was the poetry of warfare, to which he gave himself up not only during his hours of service, but also in private life.”
Butler found his sole comfort in the romanticized ideal of war, embracing it both on duty and in his personal life.
Highlights Butler's escapism through the glorification of war.
“He tried not to think of his position, and to find oblivion not only in the poetry of warfare, but also in wine.”
He avoided facing his financial troubles by losing himself in the romance of war and in drinking.
Shows Butler's increasing reliance on alcohol and fantasy to escape reality.
“It was a shaven head with salient brows, black shortcut beard and mustaches, one eye open and the other half-closed. The shaven skull was cleft, but not right through, and there was congealed blood in the nose.”
The head was shaved, with prominent brows, a short black beard and mustache, one eye open and the other half-closed; the skull was split but not completely, and dried blood was in the nose.
Graphic description of Hadji Murád's severed head, emphasizing the horror of war.
“Notwithstanding the many wounds on the head, the blue lips still bore a kindly childlike expression.”
Despite the numerous injuries, the blue lips retained a gentle, innocent look.
Contrasts the violence of death with Hadji Murád's former humanity.
“War? War, indeed! … Cutthroats and nothing else. A dead body should be given back to the earth, and they’re grinning at it there!”
War? That's not war—it's murder. A corpse should be buried, not displayed and laughed at.
Márya Dmítrievna's condemnation of the dehumanizing treatment of the dead.